FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthpoint Biotherapeutics, a Smith & Nephew business (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), today announced the introduction of a Copay Assistance Program for patients who have been prescribed Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment and pay more than $50 out-of-pocket for their prescription. Under the program, eligible patients cover the first $50 and Healthpoint will pay up to the next $150 of out-of-pocket costs per prescription. The card can be used for as many as six prescriptions at a retail pharmacy, up to a $900 annual maximum.

"We recognize that healthcare costs are an important consideration today and some patients face difficult choices that could lead them to go without the medicines they need," commented Travis Baugh, President of Healthpoint Biotherapeutics. "That is why we are so pleased to introduce the SANTYL® Ointment Copay Assistance Program as one means of ensuring patient access to this important therapeutic option for managing often debilitating chronic wounds."

Both insured and uninsured patients may qualify for the Copay Assistance Program, except for prescriptions reimbursed under governmental healthcare programs or where otherwise restricted by law.

Additional information, along with program terms and conditions, are available online at http://www.santyl.com/copay or by calling 1-800-364-4767.

About Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment

Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment is a selective enzymatic debriding agent that provides continuous, bioactive removal of necrotic (dead) collagen without harming granulation tissue (collagen-rich tissue which forms in the healing wound). In difficult-to-heal and chronic wounds (such as diabetic, venous and pressure ulcers), there is an ongoing deposition of non-viable tissue that must be continually removed to maintain the readiness of the wound for healing. The process of removing these barriers to healing is called debridement, which can be accomplished through the use of certain enzymes (types of proteins) to liquefy necrotic tissue, thus allowing bioburden (microorganisms contaminating the wound) to be more easily removed from the wound.

Ongoing, active removal of necrotic debris at the cellular level may help wounds progress from the inflammatory phase (defense against infection) to the proliferative phase (spreading of new cells over the wound bed) of healing. By breaking the cycle of inflammation which traps many chronic wounds, SANTYL® Ointment contributes to the formation of granulation tissue and subsequent epithelialization (regeneration of the epidermis across a wound surface).

Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment is the only product approved by the FDA for use as an enzymatic debriding agent and is indicated for debriding chronic dermal ulcers (e.g., pressure ulcers, venous ulcers and diabetic ulcers) and severely burned areas. SANTYL® Ointment contains 250 collagenase units per gram of white petrolatum USP; the enzyme collagenase is derived from the fermentation by Clostridium histolyticum. Occasional slight transient erythema has been noted in surrounding tissue when applied outside the wound. One case of systemic hypersensitivity has been reported after one year of treatment with collagenase and cortisone. For more information, please visit http://www.santyl.com/.

About Healthpoint Biotherapeutics

Healthpoint Biotherapeutics is a bioactive business of Smith & Nephew focused on the development and commercialization of novel, cost-effective solutions for dermal repair and regeneration. Its research and development strategy is centered around next-generation bioactive therapies for the treatment of chronic wounds. Currently marketed products include Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment, OASIS® Wound Matrix, OASIS® Ultra Tri-Layer Matrix and REGRANEX® (becaplermin) Gel 0.01%. Healthpoint Biotherapeutics is also committed to advancing the care and treatment of wounds through support of industry leading continuing education from The Wound Institute®. To learn more about this comprehensive and award winning educational resource, please visit TheWoundInstitute.com®. Healthpoint Biotherapeutics is a business of Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), and is based in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit the company website at www.Healthpointbio.com.

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma, Smith & Nephew has almost 11,000 employees and a presence in more than 90 countries. Annual sales in 2011 were nearly $4.3 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).